TIME, DATE, PLACE: Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, April 19 in Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester River Campus.
The exhibits are located in the following areas:
William Henry Seward Room: M-F 9-5, Sa 11-3
Q/I: See Rush Rhees hours
Digital Humanities Center: M-F 9-5
WHAT: “The Glory of Old Monroe: Rochester in the Civil War” commemorates the experiences of Rochester’s soldiers and citizens, from national heroes to unsung drummer boys, prisoners of war, and local activists. Letters, photos, and equipment illustrate everyday life in the army and navy, while publications and other cultural artifacts give a glimpse of life on the homefront.
Between 1861 and 1865, more than 10,000 soldiers from the Rochester area fought to save the Union. “Rochester boys” participated in nearly every major Union campaign, including Antietam and Gettysburg.
Hundreds of miles removed from hostilities, Rochester’s citizens also contributed to the war effort. Army-contracted factories and hospitals grew rapidly to meet demand and community organizations rallied to aid soldiers.
Social cohesion helped Rochester avoid the draft riots and economic recession that plagued other Northern cities. Even so, the death of 650 soldiers and a devastating 1865 flood tested the city’s resolve and interrupted a century of rapid growth.
ADMISSION: The exhibits are free and open to the public.
CONTRIBUTORS AND SPONSOR: The Rochester Historical Society and the Rochester Museum and Science Center contributed items from their collections for the exhibit. Sponsored by the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering.
